“These cuts don’t go to address more than a third of what we think the problem is,” he said. “We’re going to be going in the other direction. You can always find ways to try to mitigate the pain. The problem is you have to go where the monies are,” schools, public safety and sanitation.

The state gap may increase to between $10 billion to $12 billion in the event revenue and spending projections prove too optimistic, Page said today.

Even if the state finds $3 billion to save, $7 billion would still have to be cut from aid to municipalities, Page said. Because New York City historically has received about one- third of local aid, the loss would be about $2 billion, he said. The city’s projected 5 percent revenue increase wouldn’t be enough to make up that gap.

The president of the firefighters union Steve Cassidy stated, “after nine FDNY cuts including, seven fire companies closed and Engine Company staffing reduced (2011) by Mike Bloomberg, the last seven years have been the busiest in FDNY history. The mayor has been saying that New Yorkers must do more with less and that is just what New York City Firefighters have been doing all along.”

Here is a list of companies included in the closure from nbcnewyork.com:

In a city with millions of residents and high rise buildings, the amount of first responders is even more crucial to saving lives. While we cannot underestimate the crucial task of Mayor Bloomberg and his staff to attempt to balance NYC’s budget, we cannot ignore how adversely these cuts will affect residents. We believe that firefighters are vital in a crowded city. Theirs is a job few are trained, either physically and mentally, to tackle.

Tough times, tough decisions and few choices. These are the times we’re living across America.

so if i understand correctly if there is a fire at a school nearby one of these firehouses that will close down, lil kids may burn to death cause driving through nyc traffic from across town…is sort of congested?